Landscapes and history of Vietnam ( Trip from north to south 13 days/12 nights)

Detailed program

Day 1: Hanoi - Get pick up                                                           ( -/-/D)

Upon arrival, our private Vietnam Tour guide and driver will welcome your Vietnam Holiday, pick up and transfer to Hanoi, your journey is now begin in a city where the exotic chic of old Asia blends with the dynamic face of new Asia. Where the medieval and modern co-exist. A city with a blend of Parisian grace and Asian pace, an architectural museum piece evolving in harmony with its history, rather than bulldozing through like many of the region’s capitals. Hanoi is where imagination becomes reality.
 You will have a specialty local lunch and ride on cyclo rickshow to discover Vietnams richest cultural capital, Hanoi, with over 1,000 years of history to uncover, you’ll find the highlights of Hanoi’s treasured gems on an exciting tour around the ‘City of lakes’. Visit the finest spiritual temples, busiest market streets & most tranquil gardens…. Hanoi is for sure the jewel of Asia. Dinner and overnight at the hotel

 

Day 2: Hanoi - Visit                                                                    (B/L/D) 

The capital of Vietnam with a long background of history and culture, Hanoi is also well-known for its beautiful lakes with the image of local Tai Chi in the early morning, tree-line boulevards, funny street vendors & special street food cuisine.
Discovery and walk in the historical square of BaDinh where the HoChiMinh mausoleum is situated, the presidential palace and the magnificent botanical garden where his house on stilts and One Pillar Pagoda are located.  Continue to visit of the Temple of Literature dating back to the 11th century or earlier were organized competitions for access to the Mandarinate. Lunch at ChaCa, in the afternoon, visit the ethnography museum which collects beautiful photos and objects of minority tribes throughout the country. Enjoy water puppet show in the evening. Dinner in the city and overnight at the hotel.


 

Day 3: Hanoi - Mai Hich Village                                                        (B/L/D)

Depart for Mai Chau, visit along the way of Tay Phuong Pagoda, a treasure trove of wooden sculptures of Buddha statues.  Arrival in the valley around at noon, stay at a Thai's house on stilts. Local lunch with the locals, in the afternoon, walk to discover the surrounding villages by approaching and contacting the locals.  Dinner with the family. Dance show and traditional music. Night in the traditional stilts house







 

Day 4: Mai Hich - Pu Luong                                                             ( B/L/D)

Depart by car to Pu Luong Nature Reserve.  Arrival and check-in Pu Luong Retreat, a magnificent place with an idyllic view of the rice terraces. Free time for your rest and enjoy the ecological swimming pool. Lunch and hike in the afternoon to discover the rice terraces, bamboo forests and authentic villages of the Thai ethnic group. Back to Pu Luong Retreat. Dinner and overnight at Pu Luong Retreat








 

Day 5: Pu Luong - Tam Coc                                                               (B/L/D)

Depart for HoaLu, known as Halong Bay terrestrial. Arrival around noon, local lunch, in the afternoon.  A bike ride on a small path to discover the life of the quaternary, the green rice fields and the karst landscapes.  Visit the Bich Dong Cave Pagoda. Rowboat trip on the river winding between karst gables in the Thung Nang's region. Dinner at the restaurant and overnight at the hotel







 

Day 6: Tam Coc - Lan Ha Bay                                                            ( B/L/D)

Depart for Hai Phong crossing the entire Red River delta... Arrival around noon, immediate boarding on a classic junk for a fantastic cruise in Lan Ha Bay (one of the seven natural wonders of the world), and lunch of fresh seafood caught in the bay, visit of a natural cave by a bamboo basket boat and you can swim or kayak to explore this natural wonder. Dinner and overnight on board






 

Day 7 : Lan Ha Bay - Ha Noi - Train to Hue                                             ( B/L/D)

You can get up to admire the moment of the dawn of the bay, breakfast served on board, continue the navigation through the enchanting landscapes. Kayak trip to explore the quiet spots and fish farming on the bay. Return to the pier and transfer to Hanoi to take the train to Hue. Overnight by train (Compartment of 4 berths, first tourist class)
Option 1: Overnight train
Option 2: Flight from Hanoi to Hue





 

Day 8: Hue - Visit                                                                     ( B/L/D)

Arrival in the morning in Hue, transfer to the hotel to set up and take a shower and breakfast before leaving for the visit of the Imperial City, majestic symbol of the power of the entire Nguyen dynasty during 142 years of rule. Lunch of rice cakes and local specialties, in the afternoon, visit of the Celestial Goddess pagoda and walk in the Dong Ba market. Visit of the mausoleums of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh.  Specialty dinner with family.  Night at the hotel






 

Day 9: Hue - Hoi An                                                                    ( B/L/D)

The day begins with a pleasant bike ride in the middle of the Hue countryside during the walk, you will visit a local market and the local people's life... Leaving to Danang. Stop near Lap An Lake, at the foot of the Hai Van Pass for your seafood lunch in a house on stilts.  Continue your journey via the Hai Van Pass along the coast which offers a perspective on the LangCo peninsula. Visit Linh Ung Pagoda with a statue of the Celestial Goddess protecting the sea and the city of Danang. Dinner at town and overnight at hotel






 

Day 10: HoI An                                                                          (B/L/D)

Bike ride through the typical countryside and beautiful vegetable gardens.  Stop in a village to participate in country activities with the farmers and learn the technique of growing organic vegetables. A small session of foot massage and initiation course of local cuisine for the preparation of BanhXeo. Lunch at the inhabitant's house. In the afternoon, discover this charming small port town listed as a World Heritage Site. Flannery in the old town, among ancient houses and old temples. Free time to enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of this counter.
Return to the hotel, fondue dinner in a typical authentic restaurant with the locals






 

Day 11: Hoi An - Da Nang - flight to Ho Chi Minh City                                  ( B/L/D)

After breakfast, our Vietnam tour guide and driver in Hoi An will transfer you to Danang airport for your flight to Saigon. Upon your arrival, welcome and discovery of the Chinatown of Cholon (the big market) which exudes a particular atmosphere with its crowded streets, its signs in Chinese ideograms and its moving human masses. Discover the shops of the traditional herbalists' street, the Binh Tay market full of goods, Thien Hau's pagoda, built in honor of the Celestial Goddess of the Sea decorated with ceramic figurines. Discovery of the Cha Tam church, although of Catholic obedience to the mixed base of neo-Gothic and Chinese architecture. 
 Lunch and discovery of colonial Saigon and the main historical sites of the city: Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica (view from the outside due to the restoration), made of red brick dating from 1880. The Central Post Office, which is an important example of French architecture in Vietnam.
Stop to take some photos  in front of the Reunification Palace, the Opera House and the City Hall. Flannery at Ben Thanh Central Market before setting up at your hotel. Dinner in town and overnight at the hotel. 

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta                                                ( B/L/D)

Depart for Mekong Delta, discover of the Vinh Trang pagoda at My Tho, arrival in the Ben Tre region in the heart of the Tien river. Boat trip in the arroyos through magnificent orchards and lush nature. Visit of the caramel candy factories, local products based on coconuts. Lunch with the elephant earfish specialty. Bike ride through the typical countryside, green orchards and scenes of daily life. Rowing boat trip in the narrower canals. Arrival in Can Tho, free time to discover the city's market. Dinner in town and overnight at the hotel.






 

Day 13: Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City                                                     ( B/L/D)
 

Then visit the food market where you can find almost all the agricultural products of the Mekong Delta, fish; shrimp, crab, vegetables, fruits.....  Return by bus to Saigon. Lunch along the way, arrival in Saigon in the early afternoon. A room will be ready for your shower  ( 4 people/1 room) and change before the transfer to the airport for the return flight.  




 

En of services

This price includes:

• Modern private minibus with A/C

• Accommodation in double or twin rooms (2 persons/room) in the above-mentioned category, with breakfast

• Local English speaking guides except on free days

• Cruise in Halong or Lan Ha Bay on the non-private boat 4* ( Private luxurious cabin)

• The shows and cruises mentioned

• The right of entry to tourist sites

• The meals mentioned in the program

• Soft bunk night train Hanoi - Hue (4 people in one compartment)

• Fresh water in the car during the whole stay

This price excludes

• International airline tickets

• Danang - Saigon flight tickets (about 70 USD/1 pax)

• Personal insurance

• Tips for services, personal expenses and anything not clearly mentioned in the program ( 4 USD/ 1day/1pax for all services)